<p>Well heres my story I will be going to howard university in the fall as a computer science major and will be in desperate need of a laptop. This will be my first laptop since my parents would always tell me to wait till college for ny first laptop as they will buy me one. I was fine with this until it became time to actually get me one.
Heres the problem my dad always tells me to do my research before I make a big purchase so I did just that. I picked a beautiful asus zenbook prime. Only problem is that it’s $1500. I don’t really see a problem because I’ll be doing much of my classwork on it and would need something durable comfortable and fast to work on.
I know you all are going to say that it’s too much money for the economic times but it’s not like I have not done everything to deserve it. I have gotten a full tuition scholarship to the school my DAD really wants me to go to. I’ve never been as big of a spender like my little brother as I still wear clothes from the 8th grade. I just feel that this one time I deserve what I earned. I saved my parents $20,000+ for the next 4 years why can they not do this for me?</p>
<p>I would tell my child the same thing, full tuition or not. You didn’t save your parents anything, you saved YOURSELF the money, at least at our house that is how it works. The problem is, you can find an equally as good, if not better computer for less than half that amount. The extra cost just isn’t necessary. They can use that extra $700+ on dorm bedding, transportation costs, etc., etc. etc. You could also ask how much they are willing to pay toward a laptop and pay for the rest out of the money you earn this summer at your summer job.</p>
<p>You are viewing this as a question of what you deserve. But the reality is that it’s more a question of what makes sense and what your dad can afford.</p>
<p>I think I “deserve” to be driving a Ferrari. But I actually drive a Mazda because that’s what makes sense, and it’s what I can afford.</p>
<p>Do you have some graduation gift money? You could offer to split the cost. Is it worth 700$ to you?</p>
<p>In my house your current tactic would not work as it is the equivalent of throwing a temper tantrum at the grocery store checkout line when told not you’re not getting candy. I can hear this voice saying , ‘but I want it’ while stamping his foot.</p>
<p>Do you have a job? Perhaps you can negotiate your parents paying the amount for a good base computer and you make up the difference to get the one with the extras you want. And congratulations on your scholarship!</p>
<p>When my older daughter graduated and headed to college, I also bought her a laptop, But I was willing to spend only about $700 plus the cost of Microsoft Office if it was not bundled on the laptop. That was the cost at that time for a reasonably functional Dell or Toshiba type laptop. But she wanted a Mac. So… I asked her to pay the difference. It ended up being about $300, and she paid it. </p>
<p>Your parents have fed, clothed, and housed you for 18 years. They owe you nothing at this point, and you should be grateful that they will even chip in for a laptop.</p>
<p>So… in answer to your question, I think it is “just you”, and your dad is being reasonable.</p>
<p>It’s not a matter that the computer is too expensive for “these economic times”, it’s a matter that you can get an equally good product (or at least one that meets your needs) for a great deal less. Computers just aren’t that expensive anymore. Keep in mind you’re probably going to need to tack on an additional $250 for a service agreement. This is really worth it at college as the bumps, dumps, drinks spilled, and shattered screens (by you or a roommate) are not that uncommon). </p>
<p>My suggestion is to ask your parents what they’d like to contribute and go from there. Check to see what the required specs are for Comp Sci at Howard, using that as a minimum. Price compare the computers being offered by the university. We found them to be comparable at our son’s u when we considered on site service/loaner. </p>
<p>You may end up getting the same computer you originally picked out, minus the power struggle with your parents at a time that is already overrun with stress.</p>
<p>$1500?? I agree with everyone else. Ask politely what your dad will contribute, and then see how much you can save to get the best laptop you can, including the service contract.</p>
<p>Ask your dad for how much he has in mind. Would you thing $5K was reasonable? Or $3? Where do you draw the line? It’s a matter of opinion, so you need to know what your dad has in mind. If you want to spend more, you need to throw in the extra. My kids have to do this as well.</p>
<p>My son is a STEM major. I am self-employed, so I asked my “computer guy” what laptop he would recommend. He is big on the Lenovo brand, because he has had fewer problems with them than anything else. He likes HP desktops, but says their laptops are too fragile. My son has had his for three years and it’s still doing well. Plenty of firepower for his math and computing courses. And it was nowhere near $1,500.</p>
<p>FWIW, my engineering son got a Lenovo last year too. Couldn’t be happier.</p>
<p>Your parents don’t owe you anything, but also keep in mind, you don’t owe your parents anything either (they chose to bring him into the world, parents have the task of raising kids anyways). I was able to buy an i7 laptop for $600 w/ a 750gb hard drive so just look around. We have 3 main tech stores around my house (best buy, fry’s, hhgregg) so just look around. It usually takes about 2-3 week but you’ll definitely be able to find something good.</p>
<p>Congratulations on the scholarship. You sound like a very intelligent student with a good plan. I think I will be the first parent on this board on your side… but with a few conditions.
The first is: can you and your parents afford the computer and are you willing to chip in for it?</p>
<p>The reason I am considering your point of view is that you are a computer science major. This makes a difference not in what you need, but what the computer means to you. I say this because the computer you want would have little value to -let’s say- a humanities major, or someone like me, who would have no need or idea about the extra features yours has. However, when a comp sci major has researched one- it’s because he/she knows what he/she is looking for. Also, while I do not know if your homework or assignments require a better computer, having some features may make homework less frustration… and lastly… gaming… but not too much as if it affected your grades, I would support your parents taking it away from you!</p>
<p>Just like a music major would wish for a better instrument than someone who plays for fun, If comp sci is your major, the computer is, in a way, a major interest for you compared to someone who just uses it for e mail and typing papers. This does not mean your parents just have to cave and buy it.
So, I do get your point, but now you need to work with your parents budget. How much will they contribute and how much will you contribute? What else are you willing to give up to make it possible? (no new car, you may have to get a second hand dorm fridge… be creative here) or can you do without the computer you want? Like the other posters here- can you do better- do you have to have this one or can you get a better deal? If this is your priority- then budget for it, work for it, ask grandparents for a cash gift instead of another graduation present, get a summer job… do more things around the house… ). Also know that they can ask you to fix their computer problems when they need it…</p>
<p>Be creative, but I hear you, and I think, if you can objectively assess how much it means to you- yes, it is a want, not a need, but for you it may be a bigger want than for a non-comp sci major- and you approach your parents in a mature, creative way. (not I deserve this, but it would mean a lot to me -how can I work with you to make it happen)- I hope this can be a reality for you. If not, then perhaps you can work towards it in the future. Good luck- and congratulations.</p>
<p>Pennylane - Actually, you aren’t the first parent to take into consideration the OPs major. If you read my post you’ll see I suggested he check Howard’s minimum specs for Comp Sci majors and use that as a starting point. Engineering majors have different needs and the universities want their students to have the proper tools. They almost always spell out minimum requirements. The OP can also use this to show his parents that given the minimum specs for his major, these ate the types of computers he can get and what they cost. It may be more expensive then they thought and result in a larger contribution from them.</p>
<p>In our house with our kids purchases like this go something like this.</p>
<p>The child in question does the research and then discusses the options with us parents … we decided the cost/functionality/value point we are willing to pay for. We then offer to pay $x for the item … our child is allowed to purchase whichever one they want … however they are on the hook for any amount above $x. In the case of laptops we were willing to pay $600-$700 (sound familiar to other posts) … that buys a reasonably priced reasonable functionality laptop.</p>
<p>We are a full pay family for 3 kids at school and certainly could “afford” to pay more than $700. That said we do not have unlimited funds … ultimately if we pay more than $700 for bells and whistles the extra money will push out our retirement. And no the extra $1000 on a laptop is not that much … nor is on child #2s laptop, or child #3 laptop, or the kid’s game systems, or the kids’s college visits, etc … however the sum of all the extras does add up to real money. Living a cost effective life is why we are able to pay full pay … and frankly I think there are higher return uses for the incremental money ($1000 will by a mini family vacation).</p>
<p>Sorry if I havent read all posts thoroughly, but FIRST make certain you check what your major recommends for laptop. Many majors have tech requirements. Also, make certain you get any discounts being a student gets you.</p>
<p>Sorry, Blueiguana- I stand corrected. I am not the first parent on his side. I just wanted to point out that I would take this kind of request from a comp sci major differently than from a child who was not a comp sci major. So his request may have more meaning from his point of view and knowledge. I know that my own kids know much more about computers than I do.
You are correct to consult the university- and maybe even a reliable source like a professor or other students to see what they need. A comp sci major may literally live on this computer, and the extra features could be relevant. That would be information I would want as a parent. Or it is possible that OP’s Dad is way more computer savvy than I am.</p>
<p>Still, I try to hear my own kids’ point of views with things I know little about. I try to decide what is want and what is need. You are correct to assess just how much is need here. It may end or at least diminish the conflict. Thanks.</p>
<p>My DS just graduated from college, Between laptops dropped from the top of bunkbeds, water spillage, you name it, we’ve been through several insurance claims and about 4 laptops (I believe). I would NOT recommend spending more than 600-700 tops on a laptop for college. If you get an apple you will spend more but you can get discounts through your college website and probably get a free printer or something.</p>
<p>As our son’s COLLEGE grad present (he is an engineer) we let him custom build a laptop (you guessed it, his last one broke, he bought new parts and rebuilt it but the hinges broke and it literally fell to the floor) and the latest one cost a bit over $1000 (maybe $1200) , but we had discounts and rebates that brought the cost back in line a bit. No way would we spend $1500, even for a STEM grad with a good engineering job lined up.</p>
<p>Save your and your parents $$. Find a cheaper laptop. JMO.</p>
<p>JYm, my DDs laptop has lasted till her senior year. Its a mac, which (obvioulsy) attracts less viruses. I am glad we went the way we did.</p>
<p>Actually, what I would do is contact that comp sci department at Howard, and ask them what their recommendation is as far as computers…do they recommend a certain brand. What do they see as the necessary configuration and programs? Are there any discounts offered with certain computer brands, or if a computer is brought through the school’s department or bookstore?</p>
<p>Then I would get together with my dad and research computers with him, with both of us having an open mind.</p>